The department released a policy update this morning which outlined that council’s will be expected to collect four streams separately:
- residual (non-recyclable) waste
- food waste (mixed with garden waste if appropriate)
- paper and card
- all other dry recyclable materials
The update stressed that councils and other waste collectors will still have the flexibility to make the best choices to suit local need but that the four streams will be the “default requirement”.
Alongside the update, Defra released new guidance for waste collectors and workplaces on separating dry recyclables, food waste and black bin residual waste.
Workplaces will have a legal obligation to ensure that these three waste streams are collected separately from each other.
The legislation will apply from 31 March 2025, or 31 March 2027 for “micro-firms” with under 10 full time employees.
Workplaces will be able to decide for themselves on the size of containers and frequency of collections based on the volume of waste they produce.
Defra added that they do not need to provide bins for their customers, however, if they choose to these will need to be separated into dry recyclable waste, food waste and black bin waste.
In terms of paper and cardboard, the guidance instructed: “You need to separate paper and card from other dry recyclables (plastic, metal and glass), unless your waste collector collects them together.
“Waste collectors may also choose to collect other dry recyclable materials separately, like glass. You should discuss how your dry recyclable waste will be collected with your chosen waste collector.”
Paul Sanderson, chief executive of The Recycling Association, reacted to the news: “This policy update on Simpler Recycling seems like a good compromise to have paper and cardboard separately as default but allowing flexibility where not possible to do that.
“This should help to raise the quality of recyclable materials collected from households and businesses.”
From April 2025, the general public and other parties will be able to report workplaces that are not abiding to the Simpler Recycling regulations to the Environment Agency. Defra said that it will update this guidance with information on how to report non-compliance when it is available.
Michael Topham, CEO of waste management company Biffa, celebrated the news: “We have been working hard to achieve a seamless transition for Simpler Recycling which is critical to kickstarting stagnant recycling rates in the UK and a vital next step on the journey to a circular economy. So it is positive to have the final detail from Defra on this important regulatory change as we prepare to go live in April, only four months away.
“It is also reassuring to know that collecting and processing fibre can be done as part of dry, mixed recycling where collecting it separately would not be environmentally or economically practical. This will help to ensure Simpler Recycling fulfils the objective of simplifying recycling. Our focus now is to work closely with our customers to make Simpler Recycling a success.”
The paper and cardboard industry reacts
The Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) welcomed Defra’s announcement and said that it represents a significant step forward in improving the quality of paper for recycling.
Dimitra Rappou, executive director of sustainable products at the CPI, said: “The quality of materials entering the paper and card waste stream is critical to enhancing recyclability and reducing contamination. By prioritising the separate collection of paper and card, this move will not only contribute to higher quality recycling, but will also act as a key driver for increasing recycling rates and advancing sustainability goals.
“To fully realise the potential of these reforms, it is essential to align them with a robust Extended Producer Responsibility framework. This should be supported by thorough recyclability assessments and appropriate fee structures to ensure systemic improvements in waste management and encourage sustainable practices.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Defra, local authorities, waste management companies, and other stakeholders to support the successful implementation of these policies.”
WRAP: The Business of Recycling website
Defra has provided funding to WRAP to develop the Business of Recycling website.
The website provides guidance and resources for specific business sectors and non-domestic premises such as schools and hospitals, on how to make the changes required.
It also includes a waste calculator, that gives businesses the potential costs of their waste collection service, and ideas to improve waste efficiency.
Others in the industry react to the news
The National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO) welcomed the announcement of a clearer position from Government on the implementation of Simpler Recycling policies, after “yet another long period of uncertainty”.
A spokesperson said: “The revision of language on residual waste services is a positive move from government, as previous insistence on at least fortnightly collections was completely at odds with wider policies such as packaging EPR and Net Zero.
“NAWDO is seeking further information on the announcement that the default form of dry recycling service will include separate paper and card collections, particularly in relation to the evidence base that will need to be provided where a local authority needs to continue collecting these materials with containers and other recyclables.”
“Our members are disappointed that no moves have been taken to address the March 2025 compliance date for introducing the full range of recycling services to relevant non-domestic premises. Local authorities design services around the requirements on households, and then scale up to cover businesses, schools and other such premises. Setting a compliance date a year earlier than that for households is illogical and impractical, and it is unfortunate that this is not being corrected.”
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